The number of green energy alternatives continues to grow as we reach the end of 2008; and the U.S. has got its first hydrokinetic turbine.{ad}

This green energy source works by harnessing the power of running water in rivers, but has the advantage of not requiring an expensive dam to be built first. This first unit has been installed on the Mississippi River and can generate 35 kilowatts.

Although their overall energy generation is quite small, the turbine’s flexibility in terms of where they can go and the significantly lower costs of manufacture and installation make them viable. A second turbine is planned next to this one in the Mississippi river and together they will add 5% to the power output of the hydroelectric plant in nearby Hastings.

One problem that currently faces small-scale projects such as this is the fact they have to go through the same regulations process as large-scale dams. This significantly increases the costs, to the point where getting permission can cost more than the actual turbine installation, as well as making the whole project take a lot longer than it should.

Matthew’s Opinion
This is the second new water-based green energy project I have heard about this year. The first was using the energy generated from waves to create power. Both projects have a lot of potential to significantly increase the amount of power we generate from green sources.

Whatever the state of the economy these are geat projects to be happening right now for a few reasons. For one they are helping to ensure we can meet our energy needs of the future without relying on diminishing natural resources such as oil. They also attract investors who are shying away from other industries right now due to the economic crisis. Finally, these projects need people to work on the technology and install the final product, so they create jobs and continue to create more jobs in the future as demand for them grows.

There seems to be a lot of work going on not just in hydro, but solar and wind power too. As long as these projects continue to gain investment and tax breaks from governments we could really start to see a big shift towards green energy over the next decade.

Reader Comments

Ron

This green energy source works by harnessing the power of running water in rivers
Converting the kinetic energy of moving water to the mechanical energy of a spinning wheel reduces the energy and therefore the speed of the water. This reduces the amount of silt that can be suspended in the water, which means that more silt settles to the bottom, raising the river bottom.
This means more energy-consuming, carbon dioxide-producing dredging.

Suuure

This may be true Ron, but the amount is so small it is ridiculous. Do you really think if you put a 10x10x10 foot rock in a 50 foot deep 250 foot wide river it would drastically slow the river? At most it would create extra turbulence in one area.

Tell you what, post one real scientific study that shows that the amount of dredging a single turbine would require is greater than the energy it would create and I will agree. Until then, you are just talking out your ass.

hodar

Ron, the amount of water affected by this device is a ratio of the open area against the bladed area. Using an uncalibrated eye-ball, I would see that the water passing through this engine has a far more likely chance of passing between the blades, than passing over the blades. The blades combined appear to make up approximately 25% of the available area.

Water will follow the path of least resistance, therefore the water would be funnelled into this device, thereby increasing the water’s rate of flow and creating an area of turbulance (not stagnation). This turbulant water would be able to carry MORE silt, not less. I would encourage you to look downstream from the Dam of your choice to actually observe this phenomina. I also offer you naturally occuring funnels and fast water areas such as any ‘Rapids’ found on any river of your choice. Because of the added turbulance, the water will be oxygenated, which will encourage fish and other life to flourish. Again, I offer you the dam of your choice, where you can see the larger fish that hang out at the base of the dams.

That’s the problem I have with Liberals. We can’t have nuclear power because of fear of radiation (despite the fact we have had nuclear powered warships, aircraft carriers, submarines for the past 50 years in COMBAT with no problems). We can’t use hydroelectric power because of fear based upon pseudo-science. We can’t have coal, because of fear of carbon dioxide impacts to the ‘Global Warming’ fools (ahem, CO2 makes up less than 0.0384% of our atmosphere as of 2007). We can’t use wind turbines because they chop little birds into pillow fluff.

Here’s my thought. If you use it, you can’t complain about it. If you want to take yourself off the grid, and complain and protest about how we generate electricity – then at least you aren’t a hypocrit. It would be a welcom change to hear these complainers offer an alternative. If nuclear, coal, water and air generation are ‘out'; what can do they suggest? We can’t have horses and mules turn turbines as PETA would have a temper tantrum.

Ron

a single turbine
Each turbine only generates 35KW. You’ll need significantly more than one turbine to generate enough power to pay for all the R&D plus installation costs.thereby increasing the water’s rate of flow and creating an area of turbulance
I hear what you are saying, but the fact is that energy is being taken out of the river.That’s the problem I have with Liberals.
I’m not liberal.Again, I offer you the dam of your choice, where you can see the larger fish that hang out at the base of the dams.
These turbines don’t (AFAICT) don’t rely on dams, so mentioning dams is a straw man.
Besides, all dams suffer from siltation. Without dredging, they will eventually (quicker for small dams) fill up and must be discarded.We can’t have nuclear power because of fear of radiation
I welcome our glowing-yellow overlords.We can’t have coal, because of fear of carbon dioxide
The part I don’t like about burning coal are the heavy metals released during combustion.We can’t use wind turbines because they chop little birds into pillow fluff.
That’s te idiot reason. The big problem is that industrialized society needs a continuous baseline of power, but the wind doesn’t constantly blow fast enough, where you need it. (And neither, of course, does the sun.)